Category: Titus

The book of Titus is all about living a countercultural life. Crete, where Titus was leading a church, was evil and dark, and many people who claimed the name of Christ there were not living very Christ-like lives. In chapters 1 and 2, Paul explains that, although we are not supposed to hide ourselves away from the world, we are not to give in to its ways either. He calls us to live in the tension of being in the world, but not of it. He tells us that we are to do all of this in order to “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (Titus 2:10)

In Titus 3, Paul reveals to us how we can actually come to live lives that are a reflection of God’s kingdom in a world wrapped up in sin and darkness. Titus 3:5 says “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” Paul is clear- we are not saved because of any good works that we have done or will ever do. However, it is through Christ’s redemptive power in us that we are then able to perform good works. As Christians, we don’t live in the old ways of sin that we once lived in. We put those ways behind us through the power of Christ in us. The mark of a believer is living in the righteousness that Jesus provides.  Our lives should reflect the goodness and righteousness of God our savior. This chapter tells us that we have been renewed by the Holy Spirit- let’s live like it!!

Paul goes on to say that because of our assurance of salvation through Christ’s mercy, we have “confident expectation of eternal life” (verse 7). We now get to live with an eternal perspective! We don’t have to get caught up in the pettiness, materialism, or comparison of this world, because we have our eyes fixed on Heaven. Filtering everything we say, do, and think through the lense of eternity changes the way we live. It affects the way we interact with people, the way we serve, give, and steward finances, the way we handle conflict, where we spend our time, and how we share the gospel. 

This is how we can live lives marked by righteousness: We continue to keep our eyes fixed on eternity by the renewal of the Holy Spirit. Because we have been saved by the mercy of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit in us allows us to live with an eternal focus. It allows us to take our eyes off of the fleeting treasures, desires, and whims of this earthly world so we can walk in the good works that the Father has prepared in advance for us (Ephesians 2:10).

This passage pulls no punches and affirms us in our calling as disciple-makers. While it can be easy to view ourselves as not capable or ready to be disciple those around us, Titus 2 makes it clear that no matter our age or how long we’ve been a Christian we are called to teach others and encourage them in the ways of Christ. We are called to teach young and old, rich and poor, godly and ungodly. 

Some of us, once we realize we are supposed to be teaching others, often don’t know where to begin or what to teach. In verses 11-14 Paul reminds us that we were taught by the saving grace of God. It is important to remind ourselves that He purified us and now we are His. Because of what Jesus did on our behalf, we can now be eager to do what is good. What better way for us to teach others than by explaining what God has been teaching us in our lives, and this is exactly what Paul encourages us to do.

Statistics also back up the importance of being engaged in discipleship. A Barna study done in January 2022 found that those who are involved in discipling others are more likely to feel that their relationship with Jesus brings deep joy and satisfaction, their relationship with Jesus impacts the way they live everyday life, and they are energized when they spend time with Jesus. However, 2 out of 5 Christians surveyed said they weren’t involved in any sort of discipleship. If a disciple is failing to make disciples, are they really a disciple? In the same way a fruit tree produces fruit, disciples should be producing disciples. 

If this is the first time anyone has prompted you to do this, find someone whose faith you admire and ask them to help you follow Jesus as they do. Find someone newer to the faith than you do and ask how you can best serve them as they follow Christ. Jesus and Paul are clear in what we are to do as followers of Christ. Don’t be intimidated, just convey what you have learned in your own journey about the saving grace of God.

Titus, a fellow missionary and close companion of Paul, is assigned to do ministry on the Greek island of Crete. Crete, however, has a culture that goes against Christ’s teachings. Cretans are known to be liars who engage in treachery, violence, and sexual immorality. Furthermore, Cretans intertwine their understanding of a Christian God with their views of Greek gods. The culture is a complete mess. Worse, the undisciplined Cretan culture is reinforced by bad leaders and false teachers in the church. Paul’s letter encourages Titus to establish order and effective leadership over the congregations in Crete.

So, what makes an effective leader? What measures should Christians apply to church leaders? There are countless books, blogs, and podcasts on effective leadership in today’s world. Yet, we have Paul’s letter (written around A.D. 64-65) to provide us with truth about church leadership that is as relevant today as it was long ago in Crete.

Paul’s guidelines for choosing leaders to govern the church and its decisions require that they know the doctrine of Christ and fully incorporate it into their lives. Leaders need more than just head knowledge of Christ. Also, leaders must teach truth and correct those in church who teach it wrongly. Crete has many false teachers, especially among Jews in the church, but also among local Cretans. Paul instructs Titus to rebuke these people. 

To rebuke, which means to reprimand and convict someone by exposing a wrong, may sound harsh. However, wrong teaching is dangerous, so Paul instructs Titus to sharply correct those who are hurting the church for their own gain. As Christians, we are also called to correct brothers and sisters who are in sin. When coming from a place of love, to rebuke someone for an observed sinful behavior is biblical (Matthew 18:15, James 5:20, Proverbs 27:5-6, 1 Timothy 5:20, Galatians 6:1). Yet, it is important to remember we are all sinful. We all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We all need loving correction. However, as was the case with Titus, the goal of good rebuke is not rebuke itself. The goal of godly rebuke is restoration.

To rebuke well, we must examine our own hearts, seek God, and reference His Word to understand what is and is not sin. Only then can we approach others lovingly, boldly, and graciously. As we live life together, care for one another, and live in truth, we will all have times when we need correction. May we humbly offer and receive correction as God directs, remembering His heart is to fully restore all of us to Himself.